Miki and I were honored to attend the ribbon-cutting for the Don Welge Memorial Bridge this past Saturday. Growing up in Chester, one of my favorite memories was crossing the old toll bridge with my friends. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how this bridge has remained such an important part of our community.
When this project was first announced, I was proud to carry HJR 38 in the House to designate this bridge in honor of Don Welge. His leadership at Gilster-Mary Lee helped strengthen our local economy, and it was an honor to play a small part in ensuring his legacy lives on.
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible, and I know this bridge will continue to serve as a vital connection between Illinois and Missouri for generations to come.
